The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-08-25
THE INDIANS.
Movement of Troops in the Neigh
borhood. of Colorow's Re-
bellion in Colorado.
What Is Thought at the War De-
partment Opinion of
Gen. Crook.

DENVER Col, August pa courier who
arrived at Glenwood Springs, yesterday,
brings the latest news from Meeker, in |
which it is stated that Sheriff Kendall had |
gone out, accompanied by seventy five
well armed and equipped frontiersmen,
for the purpose of locating and engaging
the Indians who are supposed to be |
camped about twenty five miles from
Meeker. The number of Indians is esti-
mated at from 125 to 200. They are said |
to be in high timber land, in an. almost
impregnable position, where they will be
able to stand off quite an army.
| A courier just arrived at Glenwood
Springs brings message from General
Reardop, who is in command of the troops
enroute to Meeker. General Reardons
message is dated at Morgan's ranch, ON
the Divide, about thirty miles out from
Meeker, and shows that he has made half
of the journey in safety. His scouts re-
port that about nine miles distant from
Morgan's ranch, they struck fresh Ute
trail. which showed that the Indians had
crossed ahead of them on the road.
| Reardon will hold his command at this
ranch until he hears from Kendall, as he
thinks that if he has had an engagement
with the Indians he will drive them to-
wards Morgan's ranch. Adjutant-general
West has left Glenwood Springs for
Meeker, and Col. e. B. Brooks is now COM
manding at that place. The people of
Mseker feel confident that the Ute war
will surely take place.
| AN ABANDONED CAMP.
OMAHA, August 23.-General Crook re-
ceived dispatch yesterday from Major
Randlett in command of Fort Duchesne
Utah, in which he gives an account
of an unsuccessful attempt to find
Coorow and negotiate with him. The
dispatch stated that Indian Agent Byrnes,
in charge of the White River Utes, at
Nintah agency, has sent out white man
in company with Elney, Cclorow's son, to
a point near Meeker, where Colorow was
supposed to be camped. On arriving
there they found the camp had been
burned and domestic utensils were
scattered about as if the place
had been evacuated in great haste. Young
Colorow said he was confident the camp
had been attacked and burned by COW
boys.
1t was also reported that Calpita, widow
OF Chief Ouray, had been made away with,
as she was among the missing squaws.
The Utes at this agency, so the dispatch
says, have no knowledge of any outbreak,
and understand that the Colorado euthOri-
ties are after Colorow for violating the
| game laws.
General Crook said he had received no
direct information that there had been an
outbreak, and is strongly inclined to the
belief that there is nothing in it.
THE WAR DEPARTMENT..
WASHINGTON, August 23.-The following
telegram has been received at the war de-
partment from Major Randlet, command
ing Fort Duchesne, Utah, dated August 10,
through General Terry:
"Colorow has his followers with him,
about one hundred and fifty in all. They
claim that Colorow's camp could not be
found. The fear of citizens kept them
from search. Great anxiety is manifested
concerning Ohapita, widow of Ouray. If
the cowboys have harmed her 1 anticipate
it will end in serious trouble. say to the
Indians that 1 hope she is with Colorow,
or maybe is a prisoner at Glenwood
springs, which later could be ascertained."
This is the first time the name of Cha
pita has been mentioned in any of the re-
ports from the Scene of the reported In
dian troubles. Although nothing is known
of her, it is presumed at the war depart
ment that she is either relative of Colo
row, or the daughter of some prominent
Ute chief.
The acting secretary of war is in re-
ceipt of a communication from Acting
Secretary Muldrow, stating that tele
gram had been received at the interior de-
partment from Senator Teller, at Denver,
to the effect that if the Ute Indians in
Colorado are not returned to the reserva-
tion there will be trouble.
Secretary Muldrow says the Indians
under Colorow have been staying in Col
orado on the western border, near Uncom-
| pahgre reservation, in Utah, greatly to
the dissatisfaction of the settlers IN that
locality, who have frequently complained.
1t appears from press reports that they
are resisting by force civil process of the
state authorities, and are creating consld-
erable alarm by their conduct This de-
partment has made several efforts to in
duce them to remain on the reservation
in Utah. Under the laws the Indians are
encouraged to sever their tribal relations,
and entitled to seek homes and the selec-
tions of landson the public domain. The
department has no information that the
presence of these Indians in Colorado is
for that purpose. On the other hand, re-
ports heretofore made, set out the claim
of these Indians that they were on their
reservation, which seems not to be fact.
1t is very desirable that these Indians
should remain upon their reservation,
where they can have the care or supervision
of an agent, authorized by law to look af-
ter them. As the aid of the military
seems to have been invoked to prevent
threatened outbreak, and to preserve the
peace, have the honor to recommend
that while force of troops is in the 10
cality all proper means may be used by it |
to induce the Indians to go and remain
upon their reservation" A copy of this !
Communication has been forwarded to
General Terry by General Macfeely, act
ing secretary.
The meager information contained in |
the dispatches from Fort Duchesne ID all |
of an official nature, and all that the mil
itary authorities have to guide them.
Reports of an engagement between |
Colorow and the sherif's posse do not, in |
the opinion of the war department Off
cials, warrant the use of troops to sup
Dreaa the aupnosad onthreak Aa aoop aa |